Elderflower might just be one of the most popular trends in food and drink flavoring today. Its unique flavor profile is described as fresh, fruity, and soft, with pear, lychee, and tropical notes.
It’s a subtle and intriguing way to add an exotic flair to baked goods, ice creams, beverages, syrups, soft drinks, and co*cktails.
Elderflower, Healthy and Natural
Mintel data shows significant recent growth in natural ingredient categories, likely spurred by surging interest in products that are kinder, safer, sourced domestically, and offer potential health benefits—and elderflower fits this niche perfectly. With the trend moving toward plant-based diets and natural products in general, it’s a flavor that’s gaining momentum right now and a way to compete with premium, up-market adult-focused brands currently leading the sector.
Many mass-market brands are finding great success with botanicals like elderflower as it offers sophisticated flavor along with medicinal properties, many of which have been well-documented since Roman times. In natural medicine, elderflower is commonly used to treat symptoms of sinusitis (allergies), colds and flu, coughing, and laryngitis.
Versatile Blending Possibilities
The lightly sweet nuances of elderflower blend well with many other natural fruit flavors and botanicals, including honey, pear, blackberry, strawberry, grapefruit, orange, lime, passionfruit, ginger, and even herbal flavors like rosemary, basil, and lemongrass. Truly, the palette of flavor combinations and creative possibilities are virtually endless where elderflower is concerned, and formulations are easily tailored to suit a range of markets, demographics, and price points.
Confectionery Market
According to Mintel, elderflower could also represent the next big wave in the chocolate confectionery category. Research shows trending consumer interest in florals like rose and lavender, with about 50% of all chocolate eaters surveyed stating they would like to try one or the other, or both. Elderflower offers chocolate and sweets producers new potential to create something distinctive for an audience that’s already motivated to try.
Beverage Versatility
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage producers will find elderflower to be a highly versatile flavor addition to their products. Gin-based canned co*cktails flavored with elderflower are light and refreshing for summer sipping. Other beverage alcohol products like hard cider and liqueurs are the perfect base for elderflower, as are non-alcoholic drinks like tea, iced tea, seltzers, and blended fruit juices.
Tea, in particular, has become the popular go-to healthy beverage during the pandemic. Whether combined with white, black, or green teas or blended as part of a botanical or herbal infusion, elderflower’s subtle but distinctive character entices with benefits that are both healthy and pleasurable.
According to Mintel, 54% of French adults believe that botanical ingredients have medicinal benefits. This could explain why hot and cold teas have gained popularity lately, as more people choose natural flavors over sugary drinks and sodas. Along with teas, some health food manufacturers are using elderflower flavor in healthful beverages like kombucha and probiotic drinks.
However you serve it up, and whatever you blend it with, it’s clear that elderflower satisfies both palate and body. And of course, the delicate beauty of the elderflower itself cannot be understated, making it a superb backdrop for marketing campaigns, social posts, and Instagram stories to support your outstanding products.
What will you create with Trilogy flavors?
702710 — Elder Flower Water Soluble WONF (juicy, fresh, fruity)
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